When we last checked in with the folks at Slate, the company was still trying to piece together a pricing ladder for its inaugural EV model. The truck/SUV was originally supposed to be under $20,000, but that changed when the Federal EV Tax Credit expired last year.

The company has now finally offered official pricing, and while it’s pricier than expected, you also get several benefits in return as the company attempts to make a strong case for itself as a viable business.

More expensive, but you get more range

The loss of the incentives did force Slate to raise the price but not nearly as much as some feared, with the base truck now starting at $24,950 while the SUV starts at $29,950. These figures are a far cry from the sub $20,000 first advertised, but the company had to work with what it had when it came to the raw numbers and the realities of the current market.

In exchange, Slate has made some changes to the duo in an attempt to make them more appealing to customers. Both models get a larger 65 kWh battery pack that now delivers 205 miles of range. That’s a noticeable improvement from the 150 miles the smaller and presumably axed 52.7 kWh battery pack offered. Power has dipped from 201 to 185 with the torque figure being left alone.

Slate also says the truck needs 8.0 seconds to make the sprint to 60 mph with the slightly heavier SUV most likely adding a few tenths to that figure (Slate didn’t release performance times for that one.) Towing and payload figures have also gone up for the truck with that model now capable of hauling 1,550 lbs of stuff and towing up to 2,000 lbs. The SUV sees those figures fall noticeably to 1,263 and 1,865 lbs respectively.

What do you get?

While the changes Slate has made are welcome, the question of what you do get for the money still hangs over it like a persistent spectre. Slate says the duo is “Built for the millions of hardworking people looking for a vehicle that will adapt to their changing needs without breaking the bank.”

Unlike some of its approximate rivals in the EV wars, Slate is turning away from over the top tech and gimmicks and is instead attempting to inject more simplicity into the ownership experience (crank windows are here) with a strong focus on ease of repair and customization. The latter is evident when you look at the 175 plus accessories the company offers. They include roof racks, stereos, seat covers, and other lifestyle focused accessories.

The Slate vehicles will also be an oddity in terms of colors with the models relying entirely on colored wraps to achieve it (grey is the default color.) Partial wraps are available, but Slate says a full wrap can be accquired for an extra $500. The wraps help enhance customization but they also come with a few potential drawbacks including bubbling if they are not applied properly. Each truck will come with a 10-year 110,000 mile warranty for the battery and powertrain with deliveries starting towards the end of the year.

Should you buy one?

The question of whether you should buy one or not will partially depend on what you are formally looking for. While true budget buyers will be somewhat dismayed with the higher price, the truck does have some redeeming features which could make it a good pick for niche buyers.

The main concern here is with the SUV variant. The Slate SUV is expected to carve a niche for itself in a segment that is already oversaturated with choice and the near $30,000 price tag puts it in the crosshairs of models (EV or otherwise) that might offer more creature comforts, performance, and practicality. As such, Slate will have a challenge on its hands when it comes to reaching out to buyers in that particular segment.